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Parents need to become involved

Voting is not only the first act of building a country, it is the first act of building a community – and you’re a part of it!

As a parent of child in the Chilliwack school district, I was disgusted by the pathetic voter turnout in our last civic election.

My view is quite the opposite of the recent letter to the editor by Mr. Wiens in regard to Kirsten Brandreth’s resignation as DPAC president. (Departing DPAC vice-president sounds like sour grapes, Progress, Nov. 29.)

Are there many things more important than the care and education of our children? These children, in a few short years, will be the ones voting and making the choices about our care! One only needs to spend some time within the walls of our schools to see how much more support is needed.

This support needs to start at the top, from our city council, and in particular our school trustees. We need these elected members of our government to have a very active role, supporting our schools, and in order to do that you must be out there, in the schools, asking questions and attending meetings.

Perhaps, after Ms. Brandreth’s many years of service, she was hoping to see some new faces on the school board that might bring something different to the table. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to her, for what I’m sure was thousands of hours of thankless work, and most certainly more than her fair share of political drama.

As a parent who volunteers within the school system, (and as a PAC member) I know all too well that there are a few people that help, and way too many people that stand back and make observations. I hope before Mr. Wiens decided people were being petty he has spent some time in a PAC meeting, or a DPAC meeting, or perhaps even volunteering his time within our school system.

This is not something for a “slow news day.” This should be front page news and the parents of children in Chilliwack need to be aware of what’s happening, and the path our school district is headed. It really is up to us, as voters. Remember: bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.

People were dying in the streets of Egypt the weekend of our civic election, fighting for their democratic right to vote. If you didn’t cast your ballot, please spend some time before our next election getting to know the candidates and do your part. We can make a difference. Voting is not only the first act of building a country, it is the first act of building a community – and you’re a part of it!

Cheryl Maycock